Deputies: Man tried to make officer crash during West Union chase

A West Union man fled from deputies in a stolen car then tried to cause the deputy to crash, according to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's office spokesperson Jimmy Watt said deputies noticed a Ford Focus without working tail lights, but when they tried stop the car, it fled from their blue lights.

The chase covered several roads through West Union ending up on Old Walhalla Highway when the driver - identified as 22-year-old Brandon Stancil - began to hit the brakes to cause an accident, according to Watt.

Watt said Stancil hit his brakes a final time, causing the deputy to rear-end the Focus and the chase ended as the car spun out. Deputies said there was minor damage to the car.

Stancil was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to stop for a blue light, and driving under suspension along with Walhalla Police Department outstanding charges against him for petit larceny.